The key to effective aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) is preparation. Much of this preparation relies on the ARFF apparatus, which are the vehicles they use to respond quickly and effectively to accidents of varying magnitudes. Airports are required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to maintain ARFF aircraft in working order as well as to have a certain number of them in specific classes in correlation with the size of the airport and the size of aircraft with which the airport operates. Further analysis will identify the specifics of these perimeters as well as some of the different types of ARFF devices and the supporting equipment that complements them in efforts to save lives and extinguish aircraft fires. When an airport needs to become operational, some of the regulations are necessary to ensure that in the event of an incident, ARFF personnel are properly equipped to handle any disaster that occurs. Many of these regulations are based on aircraft size, length, and number of arrivals and departures (Fortney, 2008). If the equipment fails and the airport is unable to comply with the regulations, it has 48 hours to notify the FAA and the air carriers affected by the failure, and airport operations must be brought back to acceptable levels until the equipment is either repaired or replaced to bring them back to acceptable levels (Fortney, 2008). An example of these requirements can be retrieved from the FAA website, FAR Part 139 of which indicates the following index classifications: (1) Index A includes aircraft less than 90 feet in length. (2) Index B includes aircraft at least 90 feet but less than 126 feet in length.(3)...... middle of paper ...... accessed May 16, 2014, from http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=1f5b6490ae325153efd0fb2ade517c46&rgn=div8&view=text&node=14:3.0.1.1.14.4.3.8&idno=14Fortney, J. (2008). Air Rescue and Firefighting (5th ed.). Stillwater, OK: Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University. Phillips, J. (2002). Oshkosh Striker 3000 - Specialized file. Car and driver. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/oshkosh-striker-3000-specialty-file Vaccaro, B. (October 19, 2011). Air Force high-tech devices | Fire Nation. Fire Nation. Retrieved May 17, 2014, from http://www.firefighternation.com/article/vehicle-operation-and-apparatus/high-tech-air-force-apparatus Vogel, B. (March 2, 2014). Oshkosh is creating a storm. - IHS Airport 360. Retrieved May 16, 2014 from http://www.ihsairport360.com/article/3784/oshkosh-creates-a-storm